Patent application title: EXPANDABLE BATTERY COMPARTMENT

Abstract:

In a battery-powered electrical device, an expandable battery compartment
for accommodating batteries of varying size, and a method for altering
the size of the battery compartment, is disclosed. The battery
compartment includes a battery casing defining a substantially
cylindrical recess for at least partially encapsulating a battery. The
recess has an open end for receiving a battery and a closed end. A first
electrical contact element is positioned on or adjacent the closed end of
the recess for contacting a terminal of a battery. A cover is configured
to be releasably mounted to the open end of the recess for selectively
concealing the open end and defining the battery compartment. A second
electrical contact element is provided for contacting an opposing
terminal of the battery. The second electrical contact element is
selectively positionable at multiple locations on the cover to
accommodate batteries of varying size within the battery compartment.

Claims:

1. In a battery-powered electrical device, an expandable battery
compartment for accommodating batteries of varying size, said battery
compartment comprising:a battery casing defining a substantially
cylindrical recess for at least partially encapsulating a battery, said
recess having an open end for receiving a battery and a closed end;a
first electrical contact element positioned on or adjacent the closed end
of the recess for contacting a terminal of a battery, said first
electrical contact being electrically coupled to circuitry of the
electrical device;a cover configured to be releasably mounted to the open
end of the recess for selectively concealing the open end and defining
the battery compartment; anda second electrical contact element for
contacting an opposing terminal of the battery, said second electrical
contact element being selectively positionable at multiple locations on
the cover to accommodate batteries of varying size within the battery
compartment.

2. The battery compartment of claim 1, said cover comprising a plurality
of means for receiving the second electrical contact element, wherein
each means for receiving is positioned at a discrete location on the
cover and configured to independently receive the second electrical
contact element.

3. The battery compartment of claim 2, wherein adjacent means for
receiving are separated by a predetermined distance.

4. The battery compartment of claim 2, wherein each means for receiving
the second electrical contact element is a groove formed about the
interior circumference of the cover, each groove being sized to
independently receive the second electrical contact element.

5. The battery compartment of claim 4, said second electrical contact
element including an engagement portion sized for insertion into a single
groove formed in the cover.

6. The battery compartment of claim 1, wherein the second electrical
contact element is selectively positionable between a first position for
accommodating a `DL123` battery within the battery compartment, and a
second position for accommodating a `AA` battery within the battery
compartment.

7. The battery compartment of claim 1 further comprising a threaded region
disposed on the cover for releasably engaging a threaded region disposed
on the open end of the recess of the battery casing.

8. In a battery-powered electrical device, an expandable battery
compartment for accommodating batteries of varying size, said battery
compartment comprising:a battery casing defining a substantially
cylindrical recess for at least partially encapsulating a battery, said
recess having an open end for receiving a battery and a closed end;a
first electrical contact element positioned on or adjacent the closed end
of the recess for contacting a terminal of a battery, said first
electrical contact being electrically coupled to circuitry of the
electrical device;a cover configured to be releasably mounted to the open
end of the recess for selectively concealing the open end and defining
the battery compartment;a second electrical contact element for
contacting an opposing terminal of the battery; anda plurality of means
positioned on the cover for receiving the second electrical contact
element, wherein each means for receiving is positioned at a discrete
location on the cover and configured to independently receive the second
electrical contact element to accommodate batteries of varying size
within the battery compartment.

9. The battery compartment of claim 8, wherein adjacent means for
receiving are separated by a predetermined distance.

10. The battery compartment of claim 8, wherein each means for receiving
the second electrical contact element is a groove formed about the
interior circumference of the cover, each groove being sized to
independently receive the second electrical contact element.

11. The battery compartment of claim 8, said second electrical contact
element including an engagement portion sized for insertion into a single
groove formed in the cover.

12. The battery compartment of claim 8, wherein the second electrical
contact element is selectively positionable between a first position for
accommodating a `DL123` battery within the battery compartment, and a
second position for accommodating a `AA` battery within the battery
compartment.

13. The battery compartment of claim 8 further comprising a threaded
region disposed on the cover for releasably engaging a threaded region
disposed on the open end of the recess of the battery casing.

14. In a battery-powered electrical device including a battery casing
defining a substantially cylindrical recess for at least partially
encapsulating a battery, and a cover configured to be releasably mounted
to an open end of the recess, a method of altering the size of the
battery compartment comprising the steps of:removing an electrical
contact element that is configured for contacting a battery terminal from
a first groove formed along the interior circumference of the cover;
andpositioning the electrical contact element in a second groove that is
formed along the interior circumference of the cover and separated from
the first groove.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the positioning step comprises
engaging a tab of the electrical contact element into the second groove
of the cover.

16. The method of claim 14 further comprising the steps of:removing the
electrical contact element from the second groove formed along the
interior circumference of the cover; andpositioning the electrical
contact element in the first groove formed in the cover.

Description:

[0002]The invention relates to battery powered electrical equipment, and
in particular the invention is concerned with a battery compartment for a
battery powered electrical device that accommodates different types of
batteries having different exterior dimensions. Conventional portable
electrical or electronic devices such as night vision goggles, camera
flashes, tape recorders, games and computers are typically powered by
standard dry cell batteries, such as alkaline type battery cells of
standard dimensions.

[0003]It has been a limitation of many conventional battery compartments
of portable electrical devices in general, that a particular battery
compartment could accommodate a battery or batteries of one particular
size. It would therefore be desirable in a great number of portable
devices for a battery compartment to be configured for receiving
batteries of multiple sizes. In this way, a user could populate the
portable electrical device with a wider variety of batteries.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

[0004]According to an aspect of the invention, an expandable battery
compartment of an electrical device for accommodating batteries of
varying size is provided. The battery compartment includes a battery
casing defining a substantially cylindrical recess for at least partially
encapsulating a battery. The recess has an open end for receiving a
battery and a closed end. A first electrical contact element is
positioned on or adjacent the closed end of the recess for contacting a
terminal of a battery. The first electrical contact is electrically
coupled to circuitry of the electrical device. A cover is configured to
be releasably mounted to the open end of the recess for selectively
concealing the open end and defining the battery compartment. A second
electrical contact element is provided for contacting an opposing
terminal of the battery. The second electrical contact element is
selectively positionable at multiple locations on the cover to
accommodate batteries of varying size within the battery compartment.

[0005]According to another aspect of the invention, a plurality of means
are positioned on the cover for receiving the second electrical contact
element, wherein each means for receiving is positioned at a discrete
location on the cover and configured to independently receive the second
electrical contact element to accommodate batteries of varying size
within the battery compartment.

[0006]According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method of
altering the size of the battery compartment is provided. The method
comprises the step of removing an electrical contact element that is
configured for contacting a battery terminal from a first groove formed
along the interior circumference of the cover. The electrical contact
element is then positioned in a second groove that is formed along the
interior circumference of the cover and separated from the first groove.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE FIGURES

[0007]The invention is best understood from the following detailed
description when read in connection with the accompanying drawing. It is
emphasized that, according to common practice, the various features of
the drawing are not to scale. Included in the drawing are the following
figures:

[0008]FIG. 1A depicts a cross-sectional view of a battery compartment of
an electrical device, according to one aspect of the invention, wherein a
contact element is located in a first position to accommodate a DL123
battery.

[0009]FIG. 1B depicts the battery compartment of FIG. 1A wherein the
contact element is located in a second position to accommodate a
double-`A` (i.e., `AA`) battery.

[0010]FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the contact element of FIGS. 1A
and 1B.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0011]This invention will now be described with reference to several
embodiments selected for illustration in the drawings. It will be
appreciated that the scope and spirit of the invention are not limited to
the illustrated embodiments.

[0012]Referring generally to the figures, according to an aspect of the
invention, an expandable battery compartment 12 of an electrical device
10 for accommodating batteries of varying size is provided. The battery
compartment 12 includes a battery casing 16 defining a substantially
cylindrical recess 18 for at least partially encapsulating a battery. The
recess 18 has an open end 20 for receiving a battery and a closed end 22
opposite the open end 20. A first electrical contact element 24 is
positioned on or adjacent the closed end 22 of the recess 18 for
contacting a terminal of a battery. The first electrical contact 24 is
electrically coupled to circuitry 26 of the electrical device 10. A cover
30 is configured to be releasably mounted to the open end 20 of the
recess 18 for selectively concealing the open end 20 and defining the
battery compartment 12. A second electrical contact element 14 is
provided for contacting an opposing terminal of the battery. The second
electrical contact element 14 is selectively positionable at multiple
locations 40A, 40B on the cover 30 to accommodate batteries of varying
size within the battery compartment 12.

[0013]According to another aspect of the invention, a plurality of means
40A, 40B are positioned on the cover 30 for receiving the second
electrical contact element 14, wherein each means for receiving 40A, 40B
is positioned at a discrete location on the cover 30 and configured to
independently receive the second electrical contact element 14 to
accommodate batteries of varying size within the battery compartment 12.

[0014]According to yet another aspect of the invention, a method of
altering the size of the battery compartment 12 is provided. The method
comprises the step of removing an electrical contact element 14 that is
configured for contacting a battery terminal from a first groove 40A
formed along the interior circumference of the cover 30. The electrical
contact element 14 is then positioned in a second groove 40B that is
formed along the interior circumference of the cover 30 and separated
from the first groove 40A.

[0015]FIGS. 1A and 1B depict cross-sectional views of a battery
compartment 12 of an electrical device 10. The battery compartment 12 of
the electrical device 10 is configurable to accommodate either a DL123
battery or a AA battery. The electrical device 10 may be, for example,
night vision goggles, a camera flash, a portable audio device, a portable
video game or a computer.

[0016]The battery compartment 12 generally comprises a battery casing 16
including a substantially cylindrical recess 18 for at least partially
encapsulating a battery (not shown), and a removable cover 30 for
encapsulating the recess 18. The recess 18 includes an open end 20 for
receiving a battery and a closed end 22 that is disposed opposite the
open end 20. A first electrical contact element 24 is positioned on or
adjacent the closed end 20 of the recess 18 for contacting a positive
terminal of a battery (not shown). A second electrical contact element 14
is positioned on an interior surface of the cover 30 for contacting a
negative terminal of a battery (not shown). The battery compartment 12 is
the substantially cylindrical space defined between the first and second
electrical contact elements 24 and 14, respectively. A battery is
positioned within the substantially cylindrical space between the first
and second electrical contact elements 24 and 14, respectively.

[0017]The first electrical contact element 24 is electrically coupled to
circuitry 26 of the electrical device 10 for distributing electrical
power to the electrical device 10. The circuitry 26 may optionally
include printed circuit boards 27 and 31 that are electrically
interconnected by flex circuitry 29. The printed circuit board 31 is
electrically connected to contact element 24, and printed circuit board
27 (or a conductive element) distributes electrical power to the
electrical device 10. The first electrical contact element 24 is
optionally fixed to the printed circuit board 31, and incapable of
movement.

[0018]The contact element 24 is optionally a leaf spring. In an exemplary
embodiment, contact element 24 may be made from a flexible, electrically
conducting material such as Beryllium Copper (BeCu) alloy. In an
alternative embodiment, contact element 24 may be formed from any other
conductive metal or metal alloy. In another alternative embodiment, a
coil spring may be used in lieu of a leaf spring.

[0019]An open-ended cylindrical cover 30 is configured to be releasably
mounted to the open end 20 of the recess 18 for selectively concealing
the open end 20 and defining the battery compartment 12. In a closed
position of the cover 30, as shown, a battery (not shown) is completely
encapsulated within the battery compartment 12.

[0020]The cover 30 includes a threaded region 32 disposed on an outer
surface thereof for releasably engaging a threaded region 34 disposed on
the open end 20 of the recess 18 of the battery casing 16. Those skilled
in the art will recognize that cover 30 may be releasably engaged with
battery casing 16 in a variety of different fashions without departing
from the scope or spirit of the invention.

[0021]A second electrical contact element 14 is selectively positionable
within the interior recess of the cover 30 for contacting an opposing
terminal (e.g., negative terminal) of a battery. It follows that the
interior surfaces of the cover 30 and the recess 18 of the battery casing
16 are electrically conductive to conduct electrical current from the
battery terminal to circuitry 26. In FIG. 1A, the contact element 14 is
located in a first position to accommodate a DL123 battery (not shown).
FIG. 1B depicts the contact element 14 located in a second position to
accommodate a double-`A` (i.e., `AA`) battery (not shown).

[0022]FIG. 2 depicts a perspective view of the contact element 14 of FIGS.
1A and 1B. According to one aspect of the invention, the contact element
14 is a snap ring. The contact element 14 optionally includes two prongs
36 for compressively contacting the terminal of a battery (e.g., negative
terminal)). The prongs 36 may provide a compressible distance to
stabilize a battery within the battery compartment 12. The prongs 36
extend from a substantially cylindrical base portion 38. The base portion
38 includes one or more engagement portions 42 for selectively
positioning along the interior surface of the cover 30, as described in
greater detail later. Each engagement portion 42 may be a tab, as shown,
or any other structure sized for engagement with the cover 30. A bent
segment 43 of the base portion 38 is provided to enhance the structural
integrity of contact element 14.

[0023]In an exemplary embodiment, contact element 14 is a unitary
component formed from a flexible, electrically conductive material such
as Beryllium Copper (BeCu) alloy. In an alternative embodiment, contact
element 14 may be formed from any other conductive metal or metal alloy
that is sufficiently elastic to permit positioning, removal, and
repositioning of contact element 14 along the interior surface of the
cover 30. In another alternative embodiment, a coil spring or a leaf
spring may be used in lieu of a snap ring.

[0024]Referring now to FIGS. 1A, 1B and 2, the contact element 14 is
selectively and manually positionable at multiple locations on the cover
30 for adjusting the size of the battery compartment 12 to accommodate
batteries of varying size. More particularly, the second electrical
contact element 14 is selectively and manually positionable between a
first position (see FIG. 1A) for accommodating a `DL123` battery within
the battery compartment 12, and a second position (see FIG. 1B) for
accommodating a `AA` battery within the battery compartment 12.

[0025]The cover 30 includes a plurality of means for receiving 40A and 40B
(referred to as `means for receiving 40` collectively) the second
electrical contact element 14. Each means for receiving 40 is positioned
at a discrete location on the cover 30 and configured to independently
receive the second electrical contact element 14. Adjacent means for
receiving 40 are separated by a predetermined distance "D" (see FIG. 1B).

[0026]According to one aspect of the invention, each means for receiving
40 the second electrical contact element 14 is a groove 40 formed about
the interior circumference of the cover 30. The grooves 40 may be formed
along all or a portion of the interior circumference of the cover 30.
Each groove 40 is sized to independently receive the engagement portions
42 of second electrical contact element 14. The means for receiving 40
may also be a pin, slot, detent, channel, sleeve, thread, magnet,
fastener, adhesive, spring, surface, or any other structure, surface or
geometry capable of receiving and retaining the contact element 14.
Although only two means for receiving 40 are shown in FIGS. 1A and 1B,
the cover 30 may include any number of means for receiving 40 for
accommodating more than two battery sizes.

[0027]Although not shown, a standard double-A (i.e., AA) battery,
manufactured according to ANSI specification 15A and IEC specification
LR6, includes a substantially cylindrical body having a diameter of about
14.0 millimeters, and a length of about 40 millimeters. A standard DL123
battery, manufactured in accordance with ANSI specification 5018LC and
IEC specification CR17345, includes a substantially cylindrical body
having a diameter of about 16.5 millimeters, and a length of about 34
millimeters.

[0028]The length of the AA battery is about 6 millimeters greater than the
length of the DL123 battery. Accordingly, the distance "D" separating the
adjacent grooves 40 may be about 6 millimeters, and the total length of
the battery compartment 12 (including the interior portion of the cover
30) should be greater than about 40 millimeters. Furthermore, the
diameter of a DL123 battery is about 2.5 millimeters greater than the
diameter of a AA battery. Accordingly, the interior diameter of the
recess 18 of the battery casing 16 may be greater than about 16.5
millimeters to accommodate either a AA battery or a DL123 battery. It
should be understood that this invention is not limited to any specific
dimensions, and may vary from that described herein.

[0029]Those skilled in the art will recognize that the battery compartment
12 is not limited to accommodating either AA or DL123 batteries. The
shape and size and the battery compartment may vary to accommodate any
other battery sizes. Furthermore, the battery compartment is not limited
to accommodating a single battery, and may accommodate any number of
batteries. Accordingly, the electrical device 10 may include a plurality
of battery compartments 12, moveable electrical contacts 14 and covers
30.

[0030]According to one exemplary use of the invention, a method of
altering the size of a battery compartment of a battery-powered
electrical device 10 is provided. The method includes the step of
removing a contact element 14 that is configured for contacting the
terminal of a battery from a first groove 40A formed along the interior
circumference of the cover 30. The contact element 14 is then positioned
in a second groove 40B that is formed along the interior circumference of
the cover and separated from the first groove 40A. The contact element 14
is removed from the second groove 40B formed along the interior
circumference of the cover 30. The contact element 14 is positioned in
the first groove 40A formed in the cover 30. Each positioning step
optionally includes the step of engaging a tab 42 of the electrical
contact element 14 into a groove 40A or 40B of the cover 30. It should be
understood that the foregoing steps are not limited to any step or
sequence of steps.

[0031]Although the invention is illustrated and described herein with
reference to specific embodiments, the invention is not intended to be
limited to the details shown. Rather, various modifications may be made
in the details within the scope and range of equivalents of the claims
and without departing from the spirit of the invention. For example, the
moveable contact element may reside in the recess of the battery casing
and the fixed contact element may reside in the cover of the battery
compartment.